Ace Bailey, once a top prospect out of Rutgers, made headlines even before the 2025 NBA Draft began-not for his performance on the court, but for his decision to turn down pre-draft workouts with several teams.
Most notably, he declined to meet with the Philadelphia 76ers, who held the third overall pick. That strategic move pushed him down the draft board, where he was ultimately selected by the Utah Jazz at No. 5.
The fallout was immediate and costly. According to rookie scale contracts, the difference between the third and fifth picks amounts to over $9 million in guaranteed earnings.
Bailey, it seems, attempted to shape his future by avoiding teams he felt weren’t the right fit. Unfortunately, he not only missed out on a bigger paycheck, but also didn’t end up with any of his reported preferred destinations-the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, or New Orleans Pelicans.
What’s more, Bailey had also skipped a workout with Utah. Nonetheless, the Jazz were undeterred, selecting him anyway and reportedly planning to keep him on the roster.
The pick surprised Bailey, who admitted he had “no idea” the Jazz were interested, but he called the moment a blessing. “The little kid in me is smiling hard right now,” he said after hearing his name called. “I’m just blessed to be here.”
Questions surround Bailey’s judgment and fit
Bailey’s decision sparked backlash across the league. Fans and analysts questioned his professionalism and long-term thinking. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro even chimed in, expressing disappointment over Bailey’s snub of the Sixers.
“If you’re not coming to work out, then you’ve got something wrong here,” he said, pointing to his head. “If you don’t want to be here, I don’t want you to be here.”
Still, Bailey stood by his process. “I can only control what I can control,” he told reporters, brushing off concerns that skipping workouts would affect how teams viewed him. “I’m focused on basketball. That’s my decision.”
From a basketball standpoint, Bailey remains a promising talent. The 6-foot-8 forward boasts elite athleticism, defensive versatility, and scoring ability. Experts say Utah could offer him a solid developmental environment, even if it wasn’t where he initially hoped to land.
In the end, Bailey bet on himself-and while it cost him financially in the short term, the long-term outcome depends on how he performs in Salt Lake City. If he excels with the Jazz, the controversy may fade. But if he struggles, the narrative will focus on what might have been had he played the game differently before the draft.
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